Sunday, January 1, 2012

I was lucky enough to spend New Year's Day 2012 on Treasure Cay beach in the Bahamas - starting with a long barefoot walk in the sand. It gave me lots of time to think about the futility of most resolutions and the simplicity of living healthfully. For me, it all comes down to three steps: Eat, play, rest ... repeat. Thus, a new look, a new theme, and a new focus on the simple things for lifelong health ...

EAT WELL:

Enjoy a mindful eating style – built on a foundation of
balanced, regular meals and snacks. Any nutrient-rich plate starts with healthy
servings of colorful fruits and/or vegetables, adds the goodness of whole
grains, and includes the power of protein. Eating well deserves really
refreshing beverages – drink ice-cold milk with meals and refreshing water with
snacks.

PLAY OFTEN:

The key to getting active and staying active at any
age is enjoyment. When you play hard and have fun, you are more likely to make
physical activity an everyday habit. Both children and adults need plenty of
active ‘playtime,’ at least 30 to 60 minutes a day of walking, dancing, biking,
swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, or your favorite ball game.

REST ENOUGH:

Surveys show that most of us do not get enough sleep,
which can contribute to both physical and emotional stress. Getting enough
sleep (7 to 8 hours for adults, more for kids) improves overall health and
better mental performance at work and/or school. For a positive outlook and a
balanced lifestyle, make a good night’s sleep, as well as daytime down time
(meditation, yoga, etc.), a top priority every day.

About Dayle

Dayle Hayes is an award-winning Registered Dietitian, author, and educator who brings a delightful blend of practicality and pizzazz to everyday nutrition advice.
Dayle authored Moving Away from Diets and Put Your Best Food Forward; developed a program for parents, FIT KIDS = HAPPY KIDS; created 5 A Day BINGO; and produced several videos, including: Body Trust: Undieting Your Way to Health and Happiness and Getting a Head Start with 5 A Day.
As a parent and member of the School Nutrition Association, Dayle is dedicated to improving school environments. She collected success stories for Making It Happen; wrote a chapter on communicating with students in Managing Child Nutrition Programs: Leadership for Excellence; and developed Enriching Family Mealtimes, a kit for school leaders and educators. In 2008, she co-authored the Position of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrition Guidance for Healthy Children Ages 2 to 11 Years.